The Oklahoma City Thunder just took down the Boston Celtics with a score of 118-112 in an epic clash on Wednesday! Both teams are favorites for the NBA Finals, and this game showed why.
The standout stars for OKC were Chet Holmgren with a huge double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds, as well as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who dropped 34 points. The Thunder has now beaten Boston twice this season, and their record against Eastern Conference teams stands at a stunning 22-1.
Even with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 points for the Celtics, they stumbled in the end. The Celtics set a record for 3-point attempts (63) in a non-overtime game but ended up just 1-for-9 from deep in the final eight minutes, while the Thunder finished strong with a 20-14 run.
Both teams brought their A-game with OKC’s strong defense and Boston’s crazy 3-point shooting. NBA experts are buzzing about this matchup and what it means for their playoff paths.
What’s the big deal? Here’s what we learned.
Tim Bontemps: Oklahoma City is emerging as Boston’s biggest competition for the championship title. Despite chatter doubting the Thunder’s chances, they swept the season series against the Celtics, coming back strong in the second halves of both games.
This Thunder squad is deep and has a lot of talent in different areas. Gilgeous-Alexander proved his MVP status, and Holmgren’s play, especially when paired with Isaiah Hartenstein, really showed up, especially when Gilgeous-Alexander sat out briefly.
These are two of the most flexible teams in the league, and they’ve made the Celtics look vulnerable. Sure, the Thunder are the youngest team around, and questions remain about how players like Jalen Williams will handle playoff pressures, but counting them out is a mistake.
Brian Windhorst: The Thunder have a lot going for them! Holmgren showed he can step up under pressure, they’ve got solid lineups, and their bench is looking good. Plus, they even got to the free-throw line more than usual, which is unusual for them.
However, the Celtics’ shaky 3-point shooting in the second half was concerning. When they’re hitting those shots, they’re unstoppable, but if they’re not, they’re in trouble. This matchup proved that the Celtics, while great, can also be exploited.
Playoff Predictions
Bontemps: For Boston, health is key. When they’re all good to go, they’re a tough team to beat, maybe impossible in a seven-game series. They’ve shown they can dominate elite teams, but letting leads slip is a problem. Their 3-point strategy can be hit or miss, but if they’re healthy, they’ll be a force.
Windhorst: As for OKC, their strength is their defense, plus they’ve got all the essential pieces: depth, height, and the ability to switch on defense. But they don’t have a complete offensive lineup yet. Gilgeous-Alexander does a lot, so if teams can slow him down, it could be tough.
Kram: The Celtics have an easy path to the conference finals, facing weaker opponents, but they’ll have a tough challenge against the Cleveland Cavaliers if they want to get to the Finals. The Thunder, however, have to navigate through a much tougher stretch in the West, facing possibilities of meeting three tough teams along the way.
Future Outlook
Bontemps: Looking ahead, the Thunder have a bright future thanks to their young talent and heaps of draft picks. The Celtics, while solid, have some questions. Tatum is a star and will be around for a while, but they’ll need to handle some heavy financial decisions coming up.
Windhorst: The Celtics are profiting, but they can’t spend more on players than they earn. They need to find a way to lower costs while remaining contenders. Boston has to work on some strategies to keep their championship chances alive.
Kram: Over the next five years, I’d bet on the Thunder to outperform every other team. They’ve built a solid young core and can keep adding talent through the draft. Their only hurdle could be financial decisions down the line.
A Thunder vs. Celtics Finals would be epic!
Bontemps: This would be the dream matchup for basketball fans! Both teams have what it takes to go all the way in the coming seasons. If they keep their core intact, Boston will be in the running for the Eastern Conference title, while the Thunder are gearing up for the future.
Windhorst: It’s like big brother vs. little brother. The Celtics have made it to the top, while the Thunder are just starting to rise. It’s the kind of matchup that could be a big deal in years to come.
Kram: You’ve got two powerhouse teams colliding! The Celtics can shoot the 3, and the Thunder defend against it like pros. It’ll be crazy to see two teams that are so balanced, and who knows? We might finally see a Game 7 in the Finals again!
